"Non-consensual genetic testing may involve physical harm, where a bodily sample is taken by force, or emotional harm, where the paternity or identity of the individual is questioned, or genetic predisposition to illness is identified without that person's consent," Mr Debus said.

A discussion paper prepared for federal, state and territory attorneys-general found that increasingly sophisticated technology allowed genetic information to be obtained from minute samples left on a glass, cigarette, toothbrush, comb, an item of clothing or on a tissue.

It warned of an "increasingly common fear" about "genetic trophy hunters"  people attempting to get samples to access genetic information on celebrities and public figures.

The report, by senior legal bureaucrats, said there was also concern that genetic information could be misused by employers, insurers and others for discriminatory purposes.